Italy for me From Italy with love
Cartoon World, and more. In 2006, British company Merlin Entertainments acquired the fast-growing park. Since then, Gardaland has grown into a major destination, spanning over 6.5 million square feet (600,000 sq. m), with 40 rides, its own hotels and restaurants. A free shuttle takes guests from the Peschiera del Garda train station directly to the magic of Gardaland.
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Admission Tickets
A skip-the-line ticket costs €48 and includes access to all rides except the aquarium. You can purchase it online in advance from the official partner by selecting your desired date below:
Once purchased, you’ll also be able to reserve ride times in advance using the dedicated mobile app—an incredibly convenient perk. I also recommend adding an aquarium ticket for just €9.
Tickets purchased at the gate cost €45, but expect to wait in line.
Free entry is available not only to children under 3 feet 3 inches (100 cm), but also to individuals with disabilities. Throughout the season, Gardaland offers a range of promotions, and ticket prices may vary.
Themed Hotels Nearby
Gardaland features two on-site hotels that continue the park’s fairytale experience.
Gardaland Adventure Hotel
The 4-star Gardaland Adventure Hotel offers a fully immersive family stay.
Guests will find expansive pools not available in nearby properties and a selection of themed rooms—Arabian Nights, Arctic, and Wild West styles. Each family suite includes a separate kids’ room and free parking. Rates range from €260 to €300 per night, which may seem steep, but it’s an unforgettable treat for children.
The hotel’s grounds are just as imaginative, featuring attractions themed around the North Pole, pirate ships, Arabian tales, and space travel. Dine at the on-site “Tutankhamon” restaurant, styled after Ancient Egypt.
Watch the video tour of the hotel.
Gardaland Hotel
A more budget-friendly option, Gardaland Hotel offers nightly rates from €130–200 when booked in advance. Guests enjoy complimentary access to the outdoor Blue Lagoon pool.
Kairos Garda Hotel
Located in Castelnuovo del Garda, the Kairos Garda Hotel offers stylish, well-equipped rooms with flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi. 
Free parking is available, and a sweet breakfast is served daily. There’s a bus stop nearby, and Gardaland is only 1.2 miles (2 km) away—ideal for park visits.
B&B I Germani
The cozy B&B I Germani is located close to Lake Garda and the town center of Castelnuovo del Garda. Parking is available for travelers arriving by car. 
The rooms are classically styled and come with private bathrooms. The drive to Gardaland (1.7 miles / 2.8 km) takes around 10 minutes, making this a convenient and relaxing spot for your park adventure.
Attractions
Gardaland is divided into three main areas:
- Gardaland Theme Park – the core attraction area;
- Gardaland SEA LIFE Aquarium;
- On-site hotels: Gardaland and Gardaland Adventure, which offer exclusive perks and discounts for park guests.
A detailed park map is essential for navigating. Themed zones are color-coded: blue for Fantasy, green for Adventure, and red for Adrenaline.
Attractions for the Little Ones
The blue rides in the “Fantasy Kingdom” are designed for children as young as 2 years old. Kids under 39 inches (100 cm) in height enter the park free of charge. The main characters of this whimsical zone are a friendly green dragon and his playful friends.
Park Mascot
A cheerful green dragon with long ears—Prezzemolo has been guarding the park since 1975 and lives in a whimsical fairytale house. He’s joyful, kind-hearted, and cares deeply for nature and animals. This fictional character became the hero of comic books and even gained a group of loyal friends.
- Aurora – a magical princess who’s whimsical and feminine, dreamy yet resourceful.
- Mously – a mischievous bat full of pranks and playful schemes; she’s Prezzemolo’s best friend and his loyal adventure companion.
- Bambù – an inventive panda always dreaming up wild projects, often testing them on his friends with mixed results. But he never gets discouraged.
- Pagui – a chubby seagull who’s sweet and naive, living by the lake. Her friends adore her, even as Mously keeps her laughing with sharp-witted jokes.
- T-Gey – a tiger and Prezzemolo’s rival. He’s wealthy and greedy, never eager to help the others. His motto: “Get even richer.” Italian kids know these characters well from animated shows on Channel 1.
Prezzemolo Attractions
The dragon’s name is tied to several themed play zones.
- Prezzemolo Land – a realm with a knight’s castle and nearby water attractions. Only with a water blaster in hand can you defend the castle from intruders.
- Prezzemolo’s Tree (L’Albero di Prezzemolo) – a magical house filled with amazing transformations and a viewing platform at the top.
- Prezzemolo Magic Village – an imaginative playground for young adventurers, bursting with fun and creativity.
Kung Fu Panda Academy
In 2016, a brand-new attraction for little ones opened: Kung Fu Panda Academy, inspired by “Kung Fu Panda 3.” Under the guidance of beloved character Po, kids can learn kung fu moves and set off to battle a dragon.
Adventure Rides
The park offers endless travel adventures for energetic little explorers.
- “Volaplano,” “Baby Pilota,” and the “Flying Island” lift you into the clouds; “Saltomatto” sends you on a thrilling freefall.
- “Baby Corsaro” is a pirate chase; “Giostra Cavalli” is a wild ride on horseback; “Superbaby” lets you race on animal-back, leaving cars in the dust.
- “Ortobruco Tour” is a fun caterpillar ride; “Funny Express” is the first journey without mom and dad; “Transgardaland Express” offers a train tour of Gardaland from below, while the “Monorotaia” shows the park from above.
- “Time Voyagers” whisks you on a journey through time and risky encounters with alien civilizations.
- “Doremifarm” provides a break on a farm filled with dancing cows, sheep, and other cheerful animals.
For anyone whose imagination is still alive, “Fantasy Kingdom” delivers endless joy.
Adventure Zone
Adventure—the green zone of thrills—is one of Gardaland’s top highlights. Access is limited to guests aged 10 and up. Each attraction in the Adventure series features a historical theme.
Mammoth
Mammut (Mammoth) unleashes one of the ancient Arctic giants on unsuspecting travelers. Hop into the research wagons and race through an icy canyon at breakneck speed—but be warned, escape isn’t always a guarantee.
Escape from Atlantis
Fuga da Atlantide (Escape from Atlantis) is not for the faint of heart. To uncover the secrets of the sunken continent, you must challenge Neptune himself and plunge into his watery realm. Two steep drops—each as high as a four- to five-story building—await on this wild water adventure.
Jungle Rapids
Jungle Rapids tosses you into river rapids aboard an inflatable raft, surrounded by wild jungle dangers. Bloodthirsty natives, ferocious beasts, and a threatening volcano keep the adrenaline pumping. Unexpected surprises unfold among ancient stone idols. As of 2017, a minimum height of 47 inches (120 cm) is required for this attraction.
The Corsairs
Set in a Tudor-themed world, The Corsairs (I Corsari) takes you through a pirate village by boat. But don’t get too distracted—a surprise waterfall might send you plunging into the depths!
Ramses Awakens
Ramses: Il Risveglio (Ramses Awakens) tells a chilling tale of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh resurrected by alien civilizations, threatening all humanity. The action unfolds in eerie pyramid darkness. Grab your laser blaster and shoot with all you’ve got.
The green Adventure zone is what sets Gardaland apart from all other theme parks in Europe. Most of its visitors come in search of excitement and discovery.
Adrenaline Attractions
The red Adrenaline zone delivers maximum thrills and gravity-defying sensations. Your nervous system reacts to these extreme conditions as if facing real danger—that’s what unleashes the adrenaline rush. Height and age restrictions apply; guests under 59 to 61 inches (150–155 cm) may be denied entry.
- Shaman – the season’s latest hit: this mythic coaster with a double loop immerses you in a virtual world where spirits summoned by Native American shamans come to life. A must-ride, according to the park.
- Raptor – the most popular red-zone ride. Soar through tunnels inhabited by a fierce lizard, reaching speeds around 56 mph (90 km/h), with three inversions and near-collision sensations.
- Blue Tornado – a roller coaster with five loops and a thrilling free-fall effect, hitting speeds of up to 50 mph (80 km/h).
- Space Vertigo – feel the rush of a free fall from a height equivalent to a 10-story building.
- Oblivion The Black Hole – riders plunge vertically at lightning speed into a black hole, simulating the cosmic collision of two galaxies.
- Sequoia Adventure – soar to dizzying heights where cabins flip upside down and keep flying in an inverted position.
Although similar rides can be found across Europe, Gardaland’s adrenaline zone still attracts massive crowds. On busy days, visitors may only manage to experience three attractions in five hours, which can dampen the overall park experience.
Aquarium
Gardaland Sea Life Aquarium is an underwater world located next to Gardaland’s main grounds. It features 13 marine habitats across 40 massive tanks. Visitors can observe thousands of sea creatures, from sharks to starfish. Gardaland Sea Life Aquarium hosts scheduled shows throughout the day:
- 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM – shark feeding sessions, with visitor participation allowed;
- 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM – dolphin show;
- 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM – guided aquarium tours.
For the latest aquarium hours, visit the Gardaland website and check the “Gardaland Sea Life Aquarium” section under “Attività Speciali.” Ticket prices are €11 for adults and €8 for children when purchased online. At the gate, prices increase to €16 and €10.50 respectively.
Operating Hours
The park’s attraction schedule varies by season and holidays. Changes are updated annually in the official Gardaland calendar.
Magic Winter
Winter at Gardaland—Magic Winter—includes a few days in mid-December and the full Christmas holiday period from December 26 through January 7–8. Opening hours: 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM. The park is closed in February and March. However, Gardaland Sea Life Aquarium remains open every weekend, Friday through Sunday, during the winter months.
Magic Season
Gardaland’s main operating period is called the “Magic Season.”
This year, the season kicks off on March 28 with opening hours from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
From May 13 to May 21, the park will host Magic Circus Week—a colorful celebration filled with clowns, acrobats, jugglers, and all the best elements of Italy’s circus tradition.
Magic Nights
The Night is Magic season begins on June 23. On June 23 and 24, Gardaland will stay open until 3:00 AM for its White Nights celebration. For the rest of the season, closing time will be 11:00 PM. The highlight arrives on July 29, when the park celebrates its birthday with “Happy Birthday Gardaland,” an all-night festivity.
August is a traditional vacation time for Italian families, and according to travelers, this is when the park is most crowded with long wait times. To make the most of your visit, consider these simple tips:
- Arrive before opening and head straight to the most popular and distant attractions (check the park map);
- Visit on weekdays if possible;
- Be prepared for long lines in August;
- If necessary, buy express tickets (€3 extra) for priority access to rides.
Fall Festivities
Oktoberfest—the beer celebration—starts in Gardaland on September 16 and runs through October 1. Opening hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Throughout October, the park opens only on weekends. 
The final celebration of the fall season is Magic Halloween, held from October 28 to November 1. The Halloween Party continues until midnight—after which Gardaland closes until its festive winter reopening in December.
How to Get There
Gardaland Park is easily accessible from all major cities in Northern Italy, whether you’re traveling by public transportation or your own rental car.
By Train and Bus
Trains from the stations in Milan, Verona, or Venice run directly to Peschiera del Garda station, where a shuttle bus to the park departs every 30 minutes. Train schedules can be checked on the official website www.trenitalia.com. The train ride from Milan takes about one to one and a half hours, with ticket prices ranging from €10.50 for a regional train to €24.90 for a high-speed option. 
From Venice, the journey takes about an hour and a half, while from Verona it’s just 13 minutes. A regional train ticket from Verona costs €3.40.
We also recommend reading about regional trains in Italy
By Car
Traveling by rental car—available at auto.italy4.me—is a great way to explore the area around the lake. To reach Gardaland by car, take the A4 highway and exit at Peschiera del Garda. From there, it’s just a few minutes’ drive to the park.
Private transfers to Gardaland can be arranged from any city. Taxi fare from Verona ranges between €60 and €90.
A taxi from Sirmione to Gardaland costs around €100.
Official Website
The official website of the park, www.gardaland.it, can be buggy but is available in four languages: Italian, English, German, and Russian. Tickets can be purchased online, though prices may be higher. 
Season Passes
Gardaland offers several season pass options:
- ABBONAMENTO ONE – €55. Unlimited access to the park and Aquarium from April 21 through December 31.
- ABBONAMENTO PREMIUM – €75. Includes unlimited access to the Park and Aquarium, free parking, snack discounts at the pizzeria, use of the Blue Lagoon swimming pool, and 10 express tickets for skip-the-line access to attractions.
- ABBONAMENTO VIP – €85. Includes all previous benefits plus unlimited express tickets for skipping attraction lines.
Gardaland amusement park is a magical world where adventures help kids grow up and bring parents back to their childhood.